Question :- Paam to Route 11 / alternative way up to Paksong

[brian_bkk]

Hi Guys,

Final stages of the trip planning before we set up next Friday for Ubon and Laos Saturday.

1.)
We are looking to take the road up from Paam to the left towards route 11.
Is there a river crossing around Soak? I see a road on the GT Rider Map but there is a river there. The orange road is covered by the name Soak.. On the Gecko map this town is on the west side of the river.

If not here. What are the options to get across the river around this area?

Google Earth is a little to hazy to be sure of a crossing or not.

2.)
Looking at the Gecko Map and Google earth there appears to be a route that bends around the reservoir (Route 11 Donchan turn off) and even runs across the top of the dam.. Has any one tried this path? If yes, what is it like. Would like to try a different way up to Paksong as went up the other road last June.

Ideally (if possible) the best place to come out from Paam would be not to far from the turn off to Paksong. If possible to go the route over the dam or the other road on the GT Rider Map to Paksong.

Thanks in advance for your help

Brian

 

[brian_bkk]

Didn't end up attempting this path as we were running a bit late after Paam.
But there is a turn off to the hydro plant along the highway and when going up the plataue there is a road that joins the main dirt road that looks to go down to the hydro.
So it does look possible and something to check out if you are keen to explore... Will take a look next trip I am in the south.

 

[Philippe]

Hi.
In late Jan 2012, we are going this way to Paan, coming from Cambodia through Nat. Rd 18A to Attopeu.

North of Paan, it seems there are 2 possibilities:
1) going N-W to meet Nat. Rd 11 near Donchan (Gecko map): anybody has ever been that way?
2) going NN-E on the way to Napho (Gecko map), then the yellow road end up no where in a hilly area? Any possibility to continue and connect with Rd. 16 further North??
We don't want to do rally of the Extreme as we use to do in our young day! We are still in very good shape but around 60 already!!
Any advice or info on those 2 roads, as we like to avoid concrete road.

Then further North, between Sekong and Saravan, there is a yellow Rd, starting at Phon, going North, then West to Saravan. But in the Phoulaking area there is gap with no road, on both Gecko and GT-Rider map? Any connection possible or just forget it??

Further North, from Saravan to Phin, by Rd 23 ( two big broken bridges), the Rd was fantastic 5 years ago. Is it still sandy nice dirt road or concrete has made its way up to there already??

Tks 4 any info!!
pH